Library Technician Organizations in BC - An Overview and Some Important Dates Thanks to former LTAIG chair and committee member Diane Walker for this compilation.
1966
The first courses in the new “Library/Musuem Assistant” program were offered at Vancouver Community College. (Source: A Brief History of the Library & Information Technology Program at Langara College webpage -- http://www.langara.bc.ca/libtech/40thAnniversary/history.htm )
1972
A two-year Library Technician diploma course is established at the Langara Campus of Vancouver Community College. (Source: A Brief History… see above)
1974
Work to establish the British Columbia Organization of Library Technicians, B.O.L.T., begins. (Source: “B.C.A.L.T.” by Susan McNeil, B.C.A.L.T. Newsletter , Volume 8, Number 3, February 1982)
1979
Work on constitution of organization continued; name changed to British Columbia Association of Library Technicians, B.C.A.L.T., because the word “organization” was not allowed to be in the group’s name, as directed by the Societies Act. (Source: “B.C.A.L.T”, see above.)
1980
The C.L.A. conference was held in Vancouver in 1980, and BCALT was able to hold an informal meeting in conjunction with the conference. The first survey of library technicians was conducted and results reported at the AGM. A second survey was conducted in 1981. (Source: “B.C.A.L.T”, see above.)
Mid-1980s
Name changed again to LTBC (Library Technicians of BC); Due to continued low membership and participation, the organization restructured the Executive Committees, and established closer connections to the BC Library Association (BCLA.) Annual surveys continued and the requisite AGM, but attempts to facilitate increased membership or participation in events were not successful. (Source: LTBC Networker , Volume 12, number 4, July 1986)
1991
At the LTBC AGM, the organization was dissolved by unanimous vote of the members attending, and a letter of application to become an interest group for library technicians and assistants affiliated with BCLA sent. The interest group acronym was set as LTAIG. ( LTBC Networker, Volume 17, No. 4, Summer 1991)
Mid-1990s
LTAIG exists as a primarily a virtual group with a small “executive committee” guiding the group. The primary activities included job postings and other messages distributed to a growing electronic discussion list, and some attempts to liaise with students in the Langara College and College of the Fraser Valley LT programs. Another survey was conducted in 1996.
2002
A small group of LTAIG members holds a series of meetings to try to foster more connections between members, and to try holding some educational sessions of possible interest to program students and LTs who are working or seeking work.
2003-4
LTAIG Executive Committee members work to revise and produce a new brochure, design and develop the LTAIG website, host two events, and increase communication through the electronic discussion list. A survey is conducted, using the 1996 survey as a guideline.
2005-6
In conjunction with the new BCLA website, the LTAIG webpages are redesigned and the content greatly increased. The first electronic survey of Canadian LTs is conducted and the results made available to all on the LTAIG webpages. An electronic newsletter was established, beginning in June 2006. Conference sessions sponsored by LTAIG were included in annual BCLA conferences, and socials were hosted in conjunction with the conferences. LTAIG established electronic connections with other Canadian LT organizations.
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